Around 60% of children with high-risk neuroblastoma could be treated with dinutuximab beta

Seriously ill children battling high-risk neuroblastoma - a rare type of cancer that mainly affects children and young people – are to be offered a drug which has potential to extend their lives. The British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) appraisal committee has recommended dinutuximab beta. Modelled trials have estimated the survival gain of the drug is three to five years compared to the current treatment option of isotretinoin.

Neuroblastoma is most common in children under the age of five, and is estimated to affect around 100 Brithish children a year. Sixty per cent of these patients will have access to dinutuximab beta as long as they meet a number of criteria.

It will be given to patients aged 12 months or over whose disease has at least partially responded to first stage chemotherapy, followed by myeloablative therapy and stem cell transplant but only if they have not received anti-GD2 immunotherapy.

Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from specialised nerve cells called ‘neuroblasts’, which are left behind after a baby’s development. Treatments for high-risk neuroblastoma include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell transplant, surgery and isotretinoin.

The new medication is available in US and UK only.